Safety device for vaporizer systems



Oct. 17, 1950 s. P. JoNEs i SAFETY ADEVICE Fon vAPoRIzER sysms 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1946 oct. 17, 195o s, P, NE-s.' 2,526,363

SAFETY DEVICE FoR vAPoRIzER ssmas Filed April s, 1.946 2 sheets-sheet z /QTTOQA/EKS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR VAPORIZER SYSTEMS Sam l?. Jones, Dallas, Tex'. Application April 5, 1946, Serial N of 659,826

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to a safety device for vaporizer systems, and has particular application to those systems wherein a liquefied gas, such as propane or butane, is VaporiZed for use as a heating and power generating fuel. The invention is concerned with valve means for controlling the flow of either liquid or vapor, or both, between a vaporizer chamber and a supply tank, which valve means cannot be inadvertently operated. Furthermore, the valve means may be operatedautomatically in response to excess temperature conditions, such as those caused by the presence of flame.

This mechanism is particularly applicable to a vaporizer system of the back-pressure, backflow type, having a Vaporizer column, chamber, or standpipe disposed adjacent the fuel supply tank and connected thereto by a liquid passage between the bottom of the vaporizer column and the bottom of the liquid tank, and a Vapor passage connecting the top of the vaporizer column and the top of the tank, so that the liquid assumes its level in the vaporizer column. It is desirable to be able to control the flow in both l of the two connecting lines. However, diiiculties have arisen because, when conventional valves are provided in these lines, they may be operated inadvertently or at the wrong time, leading `to serious trouble.

It is an object of the invention to provide controls for each of the two connecting lines mentioned, which cannot be inadvertently operated. A further object is to provide valve controls in these lines that can be operated only by a particular sequence of operations on the part of a person in control of the system. Another object is to provide valves that can be operated only by an enclosed operating means. A further object is to provide a control of this kind which will afford automatic operation in the event of fire or excess heat. A further object is to provide controls of this kind that will operate quickly and easily whenever shutting off of the valves is desired.

Other objects will appear from the description Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the 'valve devices, with the valve closed;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the valve shown in open position; g

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the valve but taken at to the View of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

The vaporizer mechanism is adapted to be used in connection with a storage tank I0 for containing liquid such as propane or butane or mixtures of these, or other like volatile liquids. Associated with the tank I0 is a vaporizer column, generally indicated at I I and being, with its associated accessories, contained within a housing I2. The column is, of course, hollow and is connected at its Vbottom end to the bottom of the tank IIJ by a liquid line I3. It is also connected at its top end by a vapor line I4. By these means, the liquid level within the tank I0 may find its equal in the column I I.

In this type of vaporizer system, the pressure above the liquid in the column II regulates the height of liquid in the column, and, by this latter, determines the rate of vapor generation. This is accomplished by having heating means located at the bottom of the column, which heating means heats the bottom of the column in maximum amount, with decreasing heating of the column upwardly from the bottom. Variation in the heightvof liquid level in the column, therefore, varies the amount of liquid in contact with the hot parts of the column.

The system, to accomplish the foregoing, has a cap I8 at its top, which receives the vapor line I4, and also receives the connections for a service line I9 to carry the vaporized liquid off t0 the burner, engine, or other consuming apparatus. The line I9 connects through a valve 20 and a pressure regulator 2|. It finally leads into a T 22, from which a vapor outlet line 23 leads to the consuming apparatus. From the T, another line 25 extends to a valve mechanism 26. From this mechanism, another line 2l leads to a series of controls, generally indicated at 30, and which provide a controlled main burner 3l and a pilot burner 32l disposed adjacent the bottom of .the column II.` The main burner 3l is designed to heat'the bottom of the column to vaporize the liquid therein. The bottom of the column is enclosed within a heat-containing casing 33.

The foregoing mechanism need not be described in detail because it is set forth in a copending applicationof this applicant, Serial No. 643,821, filed January .26, 1946. It will be understood that, when vapor is initially required by the consuming line 2.3, it is drawn oil?l from the top of the column il above the liquid therein. If this does not supply an adequate amount of vapor, additional vapor will be drawn oil from the top of the tank it. Suitable pressure differential flow control and check valves are ordinarily used in the line lil to regulate this latter. They are omitted here for clarity because they form no part of the present invention.

Some of the gas that is drawn oil is returned to the burners 3l and 32 which operate to provide heat to the bottom of the column, which heat, acting upon the liquid contained within the column, vaporizes the liquid and supplies the quantity of gas desired. The capacity of the burner ior the generation of gas is usually greater than the maximum possible demand. Hence, when the burner goes into full operation, after a demand has been started, the amount of generation will be greater than the demand and, as a result, the pressure above the liquid in the column iI will begin to rise and will exceed the pressure acting on the top oi the liquid in the tank Il). This will depress the level of the liquid within the column II and force it back through the line i3 into the tank I'. In so doing, the amount of liquid in contact with the heated parts of the column Il will decrease and, as a result, the amount or gas generated will likewise decrease. 'in the foregoing manner, an equilibrium will be established wherein the amount of gas generated equals the demand and wherein the liquid level is at a proper point to effect the correct amount of gas generation.

It is fairly evident that there are times when it is desirable and necessary to control the flow of liquid and gas in the two lines I3 and I4. For example, when the vaporizer column is repaired or replaced, it is necessary to have some way to prevent the scape of all or the liquid within the tank Ill at the time the line I3 is disconnected from the bottom of the column II. Also, in the event a gas leak develops in the vaporizer column, or its associated mechanism enclosed within the housing I2, it is desirable to have some way to stop the gas generation. This is particularly true because the escaping gas may become ignited within the housing I2 owing to the presence of flame at the main or pilot burner, and such flame creates a serious hazard. However, without some way to stop the generation of gas, there is no way to stop the name until all of the fuel in the tank I is consumed.

On the other hand, if conventional manual valves are provided in the lines I3 and I4, they might both be closed, inadvertently or otherwise, while gas is going into the consuming appliances, such as heaters or stoves. As soon as the valves are shut oil, the gas iow to the consuming apparatus would cease, although the burner Valves would still be open. Then, if the hand valves are again opened, immediately gas would flow to the housing through the open valves and would escape into the rooms without being ignited. This, of course, creates a very serious re hazard.

Also, a valve in the liquid line I3 should not be capable of being inadvertently or intentionally closed at the time the vaporizer column is seeking to establish an equilibrium between the amount of gas generated and the consumption. This establishment of equilibrium requires the free ability of the liquid to ow back or forth through the line I3 between the tank I0 and the column II, as otherwise the liquid level of equilibrium in the column II cannot be established. If the valve be closed at the time the consumption is less than the generation, serious excessive pressures may be produced in the column II.

The present invention providesthe control of these lines that is desirable and at times necessary, and yet avoids the hazards that come from the use of conventional manual valves, or the like. To this end, it employs a valve @El in the liquid line I3 and a valve sI in the vapor line I4. These two valves are identical so that only one need be described in detail. The valve 4I is shown in Figs. 3 to 6.

It will be seen that the tank It is provided with a nipple :i2 that receives the externally threaded shank t3 on a valve housing The shank i3 is provided with an internal inlet passage d5 that is internally threaded at its outer end to receive threaded discs t@ and lll, duly ported so that liquid or vapor may flow past both of the discs. The two discs provide between them a chamber 48 that may receive an excess flow control valve of conventional type, which is not shown for purposes of clarity.

The upper end of the passage c5 is reduced in diameter to provide a valve seat 555. Beyond the valve seat, the passage continues at 5I into a transverse passage d2 that leads to the line I4.

A continuation of the passage 5I is provided at 54 on the opposite side of the outlet passage E52. This passage 5d opens into a recess 55 that forms one side oi a diaphragm chamber.

A diaphragm 5t is disposed across the outer surface of the valve housing member liil and is clamped thereto by a cover 5S, which has a recess 59 that is complementary to the recess 55, both of these recesses providing space for the operation or the diaphragm.

Below the diaphragm is a valve member, generally indicated at 6B. This valve member includes a valve head 6I that is located in the inlet passage ll. Preferably, the head 5I is hexagonal or some other non-circular shape, so that it is centered within the circular passage d5 but provides for the flow of gas around it. The head 6I has a valve closing portion E2 thereon that may seat on the valve scat 50 to check the flow between the inlet 45 and the outlet 52, with washers as desired. The valve head 5I is connected to a button Gli by a stem @5. The button 6d reciprocates and is guided in the passage 54, and also engages against the under side of the diaphragm 5G. It is urged into contact with the diaphragm 56 by a coil spring Bt that acts between the upper washer disc l'l and the valve head 5I. The spring 6b preferably seats in a recess within the valve head so that it is properly confined.

The valve cap 53 has a slot 'it extending inwardly from one end to receive one end of a bell crank lever 'II that is pivoted to the cap at '12. One arm 'F3 of the bell crank lever operates in the slot 'FG and is adapted to engage a button i4, having a baille plate 'l5 that operates against the top of the diaphragm 56. The button I is reciprocable within a circular opening l?, and is thereby guided'.

The other arm 'i8 of the bell crank lever receives one end or a cable Sil.

It will be seen that the valve is normally closed under the action of the coil spring 55 when the bell crank lever 78 is released. This position is shown in Fig. 3. When, however, the arm k'I8 of the bell crank 'Il is pulled by the cable Sil, the bell crank is rocked about its pivot l2, and its other arm i3 depresses` the button h3 which the hook S6.

s' acts vupon the top of the diaphragm 56, and this, in turn, causes the buttonrEA of the valve to be depressed against the-coil spring 65 and'tobe opened, permitting flow from the inlet 45 to the outlet 52 and the pipe I4.

It will be understood that the valve 4I] is identical with the valve 4I, though it is disposed in'an inverted position relative to the Valve 4|-, The valve 4l] has a bell crank lever 1I that'is connected to a cable 83.

The cables'S and 83 extend into the vaporizer housing I2 and around suitable pulleys 84 and 85. The cable 83, at its upper end, has a hook 86 that may be engaged in a loop on a fuse connector..31. The otherend of the fuse connector is connected by an eye 88 to the cable 80.

The cables are of s uch length that, when the hook 86 is engaged with the fuse 81, as shown in Fig. 2, both of the bell cranks Will be rocked outwardly, so that they will depress the buttons 14 ofthe valves and cause the valves to remain open, permitting flow of both liquid and gas.

The housing I2 will be provided with a door 90, shown in Fig. l, which may be opened only by a suitable key. This door is disposed opposite the fuse 81. When it is desired manually to close the valves for any purpose whatsoever, the door 90 is unlocked and opened, giving access to When the hook 85 is removed from its link on the fuse 81, both valves may be closed by the simple operation of releasing the ends of their cables. The release of tension on the two cables, of course, permits the valves to close by the action of their coil springs 65.

In the even of fire or other excessive heating of the housing I2, the fuse link 81 will break, it being composed of some material that weakens or melts upon being subjected to temperatures above predetermined values. Of course, when the fuse link 81 breaks, the two cables 8i! and 83 are released in a manner just as if the hook 86 were removed. This breaking of the link 81 takes place automatically and causes the valves ,both to close instantly in response to the excess temperature conditions. As a result, the danger due to name is eliminated.

It will be seen that this construction provides a safety arrangement that-takes care of all of the dangerous conditions, and lyet dees not provide the additional hazard of inadvertent operation. In the rst place, it cannot be operated manually except by intention, because it is enclosed within the housing I2. Yet it will operate automatically in the event of excess te-mperature. Furthermore, both of the valves are closed simultaneously, although either one may be manually opened separately,

What is claimed is:

l. In a mechanism of the kind described, a vaporizer chamber adapted to be operatively associated with a supply tank of vaporizable liquid, passage means entering the vaporizer vaporizer Chamber adapted to be operatively associated with a supply tank of vaporizable liquid, liquidy passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank to establish liquid flow from the tank to the chamber, vapor passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank above its liquid level to establish vapor flow between the tank and the chamber, a valve in each passage means, operating means for said valves, and a common releasable connector for said operating means to hold each valve in one of its positions, whereby when the connector is released both valves may be moved to another position.

3. In amechanisrn of the kind described, a vaporizer chamber adapted to be operatively associated with a supply tank of vaporizable liquid, liquid passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank to establish liquid flow from the tank to the chamber, vapor passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank above its liquid level to establish vapor flow between the tank and the chamber, a valve in each passage means, operating means for said valves, and a common connector for said operating means to hold each valve in one of its positions, said common connector including a frangible, temperature-responsive link, whereby upon excessive temperature conditions the connector is broken and both valves may be operated to their other positions.

4. In a mechanism of the kind described, a va-porizer chamber adapted to be operatively associated with a supply tank of vaporizable liquid, liquid passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank to establish liquid flow from the tank to the chamber, vapor passage means entering the chamber and connectable with the tank above its liquid level to establish vapor ow between the tank and the chamber, a valve in each passage means, operating means for said valves, and a common connector for said operating means to hold each valve in one of its positions, a housing for said chamber, the connector extending into said housing, a severing meansin the connector within the housing, and securable door means into the housing adjacent the severing means.

5. In a mechanism of the kind described, a

vaporizer chamber, a housing open to the atmosphere around the chamber, a passage connected to the chamber and adapted to be connected with a supply tank, valve means for controlling the flow of fluid in said passage, means for holding said valve open, and means within the housing of the vaporizer chamber for automatically or manually releasing the valve to closed position.

6. In a mechanism of the kind described, a vaporizer chamber, a housing around the chamber open to the atmosphere, a passage connected to the chamber and adapted to be connected with a su-pply tank, valve means for controlling the flow of uid in-said passage, means for holding said valve open, and means within the housing of the vaporizer chamber for releasing the valve to closed position, said last named means including a releasable device normally holding the valve open, but automatically operable to close the valve upon existence of predetermined physical conditions within the housing and prevent the iow of fluid in said passage.

k7. In a mechanism of the kind described, a vaporizer chamber, a housing around the chamber open to the atmosphere, a passage connected to the chamber and adapted to be connected with a supply tank, valve means for controlling the flow of fluid in said passage, means for holding said Valve open, and means within the housing of the vaporizer chamber for manually or automatically releasing the valve to closed position, said last named means including a temperatureresponsive fuse adapted to automatically release the valve to closed position upon existence of a predetermined'v temperature within the housing andv prevent the now of fluid in said passage.

8'. In a vaporizer system for liquid petroleum fuel, a vaporizer column for connection with a liquid fuel supply tank, a vapor tube entering the top of the column and adapted to be connected to the top of the tank, a liquid tube connecting with the bottom of the column and adapted to be connected to the bottom of the tank, a cut-off valve in the vapor tube, and a cut-off valve in the liquid tube, each of said valves being normally urged toward closed position, means for holdingY the valves in open p-osition, said last named means being releasable to permit both valves to close simultaneously. v

9. In a vaporizer system for liquid petroleum fuel, a vaporizei' column for connection with a, liquid fuel supply tank, a vapor tube entering the top of the column and adapted to be connected to the top of the tank, a liquid tube connecting with the bottom of the column and adapted to be connected to the bottom of the tank, a cut-01T Valve in the vapor tube, and a cut-off valve in the liquid tube, each of said valves being normally urged toward closed position, means for holding the valves in open position, said last named means including a mechanical tension connector between the two valves, a housing around the vaporiaer column, a door means to said housing, said mechanical connector extending into said housing and having separation means disposed adjacent the door means, whereby when the door is intentionally opened the connector may be separated and the valves moved toward closed position.

10. In a vaporizer system for liquid petroleum fuel, a vaporizer column for connection with a liquid fuel supply tank, a vapor tube entering the top of the column and adapted to be connected to the top of the tank, a liquid tube connecting with the bottom of the column and adapted to be connected` to the bottom of the tank, a cut-off valve in the vapor tube, and a cut-on valve in the liquid tube, each of said valves being normally urged toward closed position, means for holding the valves in open position, said last named means comprising a mechanical connector between the two valves, a housing enclosing the vaporizer col'J umn, said connector extending into the housing, and said connector including a temperature-responsive link adapted to break uponl existence of a predetermined temperature within the hous.` ing.

11. In a vaporizer for liquid petroleum fuel, or the like, a vaporizer column, tubular connections connected into the column and adapted' to be connected with a supply of liquid fuel, a housing enclosing the column, a valve in the liquid line, and means automatically to effect ciosure of the valve when the temperature within the housing exceeds a predetermined value.

12. In a device of the type described, a vaporizer chamber associated with a supply tank for Vaporizable liquid; a housing disposed about the chamber and spaced therefrom; liquid passage means` between the chamber and the tank; vapor passage means between the chamber and the tank; a valve in each passage means; and means for automatically and simultaneously actuating saidy valves to close the passages when the temperature within the housing exceeds a predetermined amount.

13. In a device of the type described, a vaporizer chamber associated with a supply tank for vaporizable liquid; a housing disposed about the chamber and spaced therefrom; liquid passage means between the chamber and the tank; vapor passage means between the chamber and the tank; a valve in each passage means; yieldable means biasing the valves toward the closed position; and common means for maintaining the valves in an open position against the` action ofV the yieldable means, saidi maintaining means being automatically released' when the temperature within the housing exceeds a predetermined amount so as to simultaneously close both passages.

SAM P. JONES.

REFERENCES CITEDV The following references arel of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 644,152 Smith Feb. 27, 1900 2,346,112 Melshimer Apr. 4, 1944 2,396,032 Waterman Mar. 5, 1946 

